World Day of Prayer
World Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking
Pope Francis designated 8 February, the feast of St Josephine Bakhita, as the World Day of Prayer, following a request from Talitha Kum, the worldwide network of Consecrated Life Against Human Trafficking.
Josephine Bakhita was born in Southern Sudan in 1869, and during her life experienced kidnapping and slavery in both Sudan and Italy. After gaining her freedom Josephine Bakhita dedicated her life to sharing her story and to supporting the poor and suffering.
Josephine Bakhita eventually became a Canossian Sister and was canonised in 2000.